Geno was spot on
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Carnac
That venerable sage from the west
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Geno Auriemma is an enigma to those that don't know or understand him. He has been labeled as "cocky, brash, arrogant, and sometimes even condescending. But whatever you call Geno, you have to call him a winner. As a winner of 10 national championships, numerous "coach of the year" awards, coach of the USA women's team, there is a method to his madness. Auriemma is driven in pursuit of perfection.
Auriemma has had 5 teams finish the season undefeated. Today, he's staring down the throat at number 6. Geno knows how to judge and evaluate potential talent. He has perfected a system that works, and he know how and where to find players that can fit into his system and flourish. He's been doing it for over 30 years. He's NEVER lost a NCAA Tournament "final' game.
He has surpassed the legendary John Wooden in several areas. No one is denying Wooden’s greatness, but when he was in the midst of that dominant run; he had two of the top college basketball players ever to play the sport. Bill Walton and Lew Alcindor (aka Kareem Abdul Jabbar). It’s not as if he won 10 titles with severely under talented teams. He had the same dominant level of talent and ability that Geno has had.
That’s not a knock against Coach Wooden or his ability to coach. It’s more meant to say that he had the same advantages Coach Auriemma has in the women’s game today. Now, the 10 titles for UCLA and Coach Wooden came in a span of 12 seasons. That’s ridiculous. You can’t match that. So no, 10 championships for Geno doesn’t mean he’s on the same level because no one is on that level.
However, Coach Auriemma has won his 10 in 20 years. But in that stretch, his teams eclipsed Wooden’s teams for most consecutive wins (90 wins in a row from 2008-2011 as opposed to UCLA’s 88 from ‘71-‘74). UConn was just as dominant in the women’s game over that stretch as UCLA was on the men’s side.
Overall coaching records are similar as well. Wooden was 664-162 (.804) in his 29 seasons between Indiana State and UCLA. Auriemma is 916-134 (.872) in 29 seasons all at UConn. The wins are inflated for Auriemma because of the longer schedule. On average teams play about 10 more games per season now than they did when Wooden was coaching.
I’m not saying that Geno Auriemma is better than John Wooden. This isn’t meant to do that. But this is meant to at least give the man credit for what he’s been able to do and bring to light the hypocrisy of the way we look at men’s basketball in Wooden’s time vs. women’s basketball now. Judging by how dominant only a few teams have been in each of those time periods, the numbers are more comparable than you might have realized. There is something about this man that sets him apart from other coaches in WCBB. What is it?......................................
Auriemma has had 5 teams finish the season undefeated. Today, he's staring down the throat at number 6. Geno knows how to judge and evaluate potential talent. He has perfected a system that works, and he know how and where to find players that can fit into his system and flourish. He's been doing it for over 30 years. He's NEVER lost a NCAA Tournament "final' game.
He has surpassed the legendary John Wooden in several areas. No one is denying Wooden’s greatness, but when he was in the midst of that dominant run; he had two of the top college basketball players ever to play the sport. Bill Walton and Lew Alcindor (aka Kareem Abdul Jabbar). It’s not as if he won 10 titles with severely under talented teams. He had the same dominant level of talent and ability that Geno has had.
That’s not a knock against Coach Wooden or his ability to coach. It’s more meant to say that he had the same advantages Coach Auriemma has in the women’s game today. Now, the 10 titles for UCLA and Coach Wooden came in a span of 12 seasons. That’s ridiculous. You can’t match that. So no, 10 championships for Geno doesn’t mean he’s on the same level because no one is on that level.
However, Coach Auriemma has won his 10 in 20 years. But in that stretch, his teams eclipsed Wooden’s teams for most consecutive wins (90 wins in a row from 2008-2011 as opposed to UCLA’s 88 from ‘71-‘74). UConn was just as dominant in the women’s game over that stretch as UCLA was on the men’s side.
Overall coaching records are similar as well. Wooden was 664-162 (.804) in his 29 seasons between Indiana State and UCLA. Auriemma is 916-134 (.872) in 29 seasons all at UConn. The wins are inflated for Auriemma because of the longer schedule. On average teams play about 10 more games per season now than they did when Wooden was coaching.
I’m not saying that Geno Auriemma is better than John Wooden. This isn’t meant to do that. But this is meant to at least give the man credit for what he’s been able to do and bring to light the hypocrisy of the way we look at men’s basketball in Wooden’s time vs. women’s basketball now. Judging by how dominant only a few teams have been in each of those time periods, the numbers are more comparable than you might have realized. There is something about this man that sets him apart from other coaches in WCBB. What is it?......................................
MilfordHusky
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Plus Stewie had a unique skill set, and Moriah was the highest-rated PG ever per HoopGurlz. They certainly lived up to their potential!! The two best players in the country, possibly the three best.
JoePgh
Cranky pants and wise acre
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I really don't think it is realistic to compare UConn's harvest from the high school class of 2012 (1st, 2nd, and 5th in the consensus ratings) with the high school class of 2016 (3rd plus two players not in the Top 100).
Who can you name in UCONN history who was a really impactful player in college after having been outside the Top 100 in high school? Maria Conlon, maybe?
I would love to think that Kyla and/or Molly will have UCONN careers to remember, but my rational self tells me that is extremely improbable.
Who can you name in UCONN history who was a really impactful player in college after having been outside the Top 100 in high school? Maria Conlon, maybe?
I would love to think that Kyla and/or Molly will have UCONN careers to remember, but my rational self tells me that is extremely improbable.
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Three in 2017? Did I miss one?
JordyG
Stake in my pocket, Vlad to see you
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At least one more a-comin'. I'm thinking UConn's going to use all four of their schollies on major recruits.
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